Category Archives: Sports Massage

From London to Loch Ness, running 2 marathon’s 5 weeks apart the routes could not be much more different.

Little did I realise when booking the Loch Ness Marathon that on the journey up you are only half way there when hitting Glasgow. I also didn’t realise I’d need an interpreter for the Scottish accent but I went by the rule of after saying pardon 3 times I’d just agree with what was being said.

The monster is not the only long-running legend in the area, as Loch Ness is also home to one of the best marathons in the UK. It is the biggest in Scotland which takes place in a rural setting starting between Fort Augustus and Foyers and finishing in Inverness.

With over 9000 participants entering for the day’s five races Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running comprises the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, Baxters River Ness 10K, 10K Corporate Challenge, River Ness 5K Fun Run and Wee Nessie.. It has a big event feel but not as over whelming as some of the big city marathons

The course has a very high potential of a PB, some people say it’s hilly but a Kimberworth Strider would describe it as ‘undulating’. The weather was amazing and it was great seeing so many spectators and supporters along the stunning route.

I ran a PB of 3.08.24, 11th lady overall which was celebrated with a Baxters soup (sponsor of the race) and an Iron Bru, well if you can’t beat em join em!

The race was won by Kenyan Tarus Elly 2h 27. Megan Crawford (Fife AC) enjoyed a marathon debut to savour by setting a new course record of 2hr 46min 37secs to win the Baxters Loch Ness marathon women’s title and the Scottish championship gold medal.

The Thames Meander Marathon is a trail marathon which starts in Kingston upon Thames and winds its way to the scenic Richmond Park where the course continues along the trail towards the river Thames towards Putney Bridge and back.

After a week of studying the weather forecast and worrying about the anticipated 30 degrees on the Monday to the potential of torrential rain on the day before thankfully both forecasts were wrong and we just ran in the lovely British drizzle.

The event is pretty low key about 500 runners between the half and full marathon. It is run by the local club and has a really nice friendly feel to it. I tried something new for this marathon which was to not be controlled by pace or worrying about distance markers (as there were none) I ran on my heart rate. Owen was my pack horse loaded down with all of our drinks and gels but there were 7 fuelling stations along the way run by great volunteers.

Up to 16 miles I was second lady and could see the 1st place women slowly get reeled in., from that point on we passed about another 10 runners. It wasn’t until we hit a climb into Richmond Park that I turned to Owen (mile 24) and said “I’ve had enough” but I managed to distract myself by the beautiful sight of stags watching me amble by.

Our last mile was one of the quickest due to my lovely husband saying if you pick it up you might get a PB. Little did I know I was well inside a PB but his tactics worked anyway? I crossed the line in a new PB of 3.11.51 setting the female course record.

I was chuffed to say the least and took away a prize which wasn’t quite as comparable to winning the London Marathon…a plaque smaller than the size of a rich tea biscuit and a £15 voucher for a running shop down South so no glory didn’t go to my head.

The event was held at a school so we had great showering facilities (ideal size for a hobbit) followed by some hot food and a Pimms, you can tell we were down South.

If you fancy a weekend away with a scenic trail marathon thrown in the mix, this is one to consider. It’s only £15 to enter, you get a great medal and it is chip timed plus frees nosh and drinks afterwards.

Yesterday Ravenfield, Rotherham staged their very own jubilee gala. As part of my continual fundraising and charity work I set up with local beauty salon escape to beauty and carried out 10-15 minute sports massages. Donations were made and will go to help hodgkin’s lymphoma

Today I was at Hall Cross Lower School in Bessacarr, Doncaster carrying out sports massage therapy on the staff during their teacher training day. I saw a total of 21 staff who each had a 10 minute clothed sports massage on my portable massage chair.

‘A massive thank-you for today Owen – it went well and the feedback so far has been extremely positive.’